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Chris Huhne to resign as an MP Chris Huhne quits as MP after guilty plea
(35 minutes later)
Former cabinet minister Chris Huhne has said he will resign as an MP, after he pleaded guilty to to perverting the course of justice.Former cabinet minister Chris Huhne has said he will resign as an MP, after he pleaded guilty to to perverting the course of justice.
Huhne admitted charges against him over claims his ex-wife Vicky Pryce took speeding points for him a decade ago.Huhne admitted charges against him over claims his ex-wife Vicky Pryce took speeding points for him a decade ago.
The Lib Dem MP, 58, changed his plea on the first day of his trial at Southwark Crown Court. Aides to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg told the BBC he was "shocked and saddened" by the Lib Dem MP's conduct.
A by-election is now expected in his seat of Eastleigh in Hampshire. A by-election is now expected in his seat of Eastleigh in Hampshire, where he has a majority of nearly 4,000.
Huhne resigned as energy and climate change secretary after he was charged, but had stayed on as Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh. The prime minister's official spokesman declined to comment on the former minister's resignation, saying only: "It is a matter for Mr Huhne."
Huhne, 58, resigned as energy and climate change secretary after he was charged, but had stayed on as Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh.
He telephoned Mr Clegg last night to tell him of his decision to plead guilty and to stand down from Parliament.
In a statement outside court following his guilty plea, Huhne said: "Having taken responsibility for something that happened 10 years ago, the only proper course of action for me is to resign my Eastleigh seat in Parliament, which I will do shortly."In a statement outside court following his guilty plea, Huhne said: "Having taken responsibility for something that happened 10 years ago, the only proper course of action for me is to resign my Eastleigh seat in Parliament, which I will do shortly."
Constituency party officials in the seat are expected to make a statement later today.
The charge relates to an incident in March 2003 when Huhne's car was allegedly caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London.The charge relates to an incident in March 2003 when Huhne's car was allegedly caught by a speed camera on the motorway between Stansted Airport in Essex and London.
It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce, 60, from Clapham in south London, falsely informed police that she was the driver of the car so Huhne could avoid prosecution.It is alleged that between 12 March and 21 May 2003, Ms Pryce, 60, from Clapham in south London, falsely informed police that she was the driver of the car so Huhne could avoid prosecution.
BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was a serious offence which was invariably punished by a prison sentence - usually about six months to a year in this kind of case.BBC legal affairs correspondent Clive Coleman said it was a serious offence which was invariably punished by a prison sentence - usually about six months to a year in this kind of case.
In 2010, Huhne, a former financial journalist and MEP, held his Eastleigh seat with a majority of 3,864.In 2010, Huhne, a former financial journalist and MEP, held his Eastleigh seat with a majority of 3,864.